antithetical

American  

[an-tuh-thet-i-kuhl] / ˌæn təˈθɛt ɪ kəl /

Archaic, antithetic

adjective

1. of the nature of or involving antithesis.

2. directly opposed or contrasted; opposite.

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antithetical British  

/ ˌæntɪˈθɛtɪkəl /

adjective

1. of the nature of antithesis

2. directly contrasted

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Other Word Forms

• antithetically adverb

Etymology

Origin of antithetical

First recorded in 1575–85; from Greek antithetikós “setting in opposition, contrasting” (from antíthetos “opposed”) + -al; antithesis ( def. ), -tic ( def. ), -al ¹ ( def. ).

Example Sentences

Kennedy is no fool — he knows that his efforts are more antithetical to democracy than he lets on.

From Salon

“Antisemitism is dangerous, antithetical to California values, and must not be tolerated in any California classroom, regardless of whether Jewish pupils are present in that classroom,” the preamble to the bill said.

From Los Angeles Times

Louisiana has acknowledged that the treatment of Landor by prison guards was "antithetical to religious freedom" and has amended its prison grooming policy.

From Barron's

It’s a sentence that reflects two virtues seemingly antithetical to the movie industry: false modesty and a sweet nature.

From The Wall Street Journal

In forceful speeches during the virtual meeting, participants called the compact “egregiously invalid,” “probably unconstitutional,” “antithetical to principles of academic freedom” and “a Trojan horse.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• contradictory